If you’re a Windsor-end of Chapel Street kinda shopper, then in recent months, you may have stumbled upon The Pop Up Op Shop, a social enterprise set up by Shekinah Homeless Services Inc.

In October 2014, the stores band of community-lovin’ folk opened their permanent store, The Shop of Op in the same location, where you’ll be able to rummage for funky finds every day of the week.Famous for its tea cup chandelier, repurposed kitchenware hanging from ceilings, and quirky vintage décor, the store has also fast become well known for stocking high quality donations.

“We go to enormous lengths to provide our customers with good quality items, and pride ourselves on stocking the best selection of quality men’s and women’s recycled fashion, including vintage and on trend pieces” said Caddy Taylor, store manager.

The Shop of Op is the sort of place where you can leave with armfuls of secondhand designer fashion, quirky homewares and retro furniture knowing that you’ve also helped provide meals and beds to those in need.

All proceeds from The Shop of Op go towards supporting over 2500 people disadvantaged by homelessness each year.

The Shop of Op

The Shop of Op is located at 110 Chapel Street Windsor and is open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 11-5pm.

Thanks Caddy for sharing a few word about this beautiful looking op shop!

To find out more you can follow the Shop Of Op on Facebook here and their website is here

Cheap and luxury don’t normally go together, do they? They do when you combine them with yarns and op shops!

I recently discovered 14 balls of soft angora yarn at an op shop that I pop into every now and again. I had to take the lovely little balls of angora home with me and I only paid $7 for the privilege – bargain!

Knitting and crocheting with luxury yarns doesn’t have to be expensive.

Luxury yarn from the op shop

Here are my tips for finding lovely yarns in op shops:

•Use your eagle eyes – look carefully for yarn. It’s generally towards the back or sides of the store, sometimes near the book section. The yarns I found were in a box on the floor, tucked under the bottom shelf. If you can see a collection of knitting needles there may be yarn nearby!
•Be patient and persevere – sometimes there’s no yarn, sometimes there’s some horrible yarn and sometimes you can find luxury yarns. There may be a few balls or lots of balls. Take your time and one day you will find some gems.
•Look in every op shop – sometimes the best finds are in the little op shops that are tucked away from the busy areas. Know where all your local stores are and visit all of them. It’s a good idea to visit op shops when you’re travelling too.

Remember to look out for yarns at garage sales, second hand stores and clearing sales as well.

Luxury Yarn from the op shop

While I go and ponder what to make with my Angora, tell me what crafty finds you’ve discovered while you’ve been op shopping?

Cheers,

Lynda.

About the Blogger

Lynda Rennick is a blogger, photographer and artist who appreciates a good coffee, has a healthy yarn stash and loves creating with her little dog Min beside her. Her blog, Homelea Lass, is a luxury craft and life blog which inspires women to create a happy life. You can find her blog at homelealass.com and she hangs out on instagram as @homelealass.

Dunolly Op Shop

If you haven’t yet explored the wonders of this fabulous Dunolly resource, in its gorgeous historic setting, then you’ve been depriving yourself!

Sited in the former Wesleyan Sunday School of the current Dunolly Uniting Church (corner of Market and Tweeddale streets) Op Shop Devotees have been known to travel 100s and sometimes 1,000s of kilometers to scoop up the many bargains and collectables!
QUALITY!
VARIETY!
PRICE!
FRIENDLINESS!
AND a cuppa on offer!

Do you have an op shop tip?

My top tip is take your time! Really LOOK. And don’t go with kids if you’re up for a proper forage. If you do go with kids they love it though – give them $5 and tell them they can have whatever they like.

Do you have a favourite op shop?

I love them all but ones in country towns or outer western suburbs seem to be the best.

What department do you head for first in an op shop?

I usually go straight for the homewares, ceramics, vases, cups… Stuff like that. Also the framed artwork. I’m not really a clothes op shopper

Who is your favourite person to take op shopping?

I really like going on my own. It takes concentration to find good bargains and I don’t like to get distracted by conversation!

Chrissie laughing at the number of salad happy images on the web. Image c/o Mix101.1

Chrissie’s currently on the Mix101.1 Breakfast Chrissie & Jane Show – more info here